Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Bureau of Engraving and Printing Information Collection Request
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Treasury Department wants to make it easier for blind people to use money by adding special touchy-feely bits, and they are asking people to tell them how best to do this. But it's not clear how they are going to use these suggestions to change the money, and some people might find it hard to tell them their ideas online because the instructions are not so clear.
Summary AI
The Department of the Treasury has announced a request for public comments on information collection related to providing access to U.S. currency for blind and visually impaired individuals. This follows a court order mandating the inclusion of tactile features in currency design to aid the visually impaired. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) will obtain feedback from these individuals through meetings and focus groups, employing a methodology previously developed by specialists in tactile acuity. Interested parties can submit their comments online by March 31, 2025.
Abstract
The Department of the Treasury will submit the following information collection requests to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, on or after the date of publication of this notice. The public is invited to submit comments on these requests.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The Federal Register has published a notice from the Department of the Treasury inviting comments from the public regarding information collection activities aimed at improving access to U.S. currency for blind and visually impaired individuals. The publication highlights the Bureau of Engraving and Printing’s (BEP) effort to incorporate tactile features in currency design, following a court mandate requiring such accommodations. The goal is to enhance meaningful access to currency for those with visual impairments.
General Summary
The document outlines a process by which the Department of the Treasury is soliciting feedback from the public, specifically targeting blind and visually impaired persons, on the incorporation of tactile features into U.S. paper currency. This initiative stems from a court ruling in American Council of the Blind v. Paulson, which requires that U.S. currency be accessible to these individuals by including tactile markings. The public is invited to submit comments for consideration by March 31, 2025.
Significant Issues and Concerns
While the initiative is commendable in addressing inclusivity, the document raises several concerns:
Lack of Budget Details: There is no mention of the financial implications tied to these information collection activities. This absence of transparency leaves room for potential concerns regarding the management and allocation of resources.
Methodology Clarity: The document states that a methodology, previously developed by tactile acuity specialists, will be used to obtain feedback. However, it provides minimal details on how this methodology will be implemented or its effectiveness, which might lead to skepticism regarding the process’s credibility.
Navigating the Submission Process: Although the document provides a website for submitting comments, it lacks clear instructions on how to navigate the site or locate the specific information collection request. This could hinder meaningful public participation, especially for individuals not familiar with the website.
Impact on Currency Redesign: There is a lack of specifics on how feedback will be integrated into the currency design process. Without such information, the public may question the actual influence of their input.
Future Activities and Objectives: While future information collection activities are mentioned, the absence of detailed plans or objectives over the next three years contributes to an ambiguous portrayal of the initiative’s scope.
Public Impact
Overall, the document represents a positive step toward fostering inclusivity in public resources, aligning with broader societal goals of accessibility and accommodation for all individuals. However, its vague areas could impact public trust and participation. If the Treasury clarifies these areas, it could bolster confidence in government responsiveness to the needs of the visually impaired and increase public engagement.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For blind and visually impaired individuals, this initiative offers the prospect of greater independence and ease when handling U.S. currency. However, the document's lack of clarity in execution details may arouse skepticism about the tangible outcomes of this effort. Additionally, organizations and advocates for the visually impaired may find themselves investing significant resources to ensure the project proceeds effectively, potentially necessitating further advocacy to address the document’s shortcomings.
Issues
• The document does not specify the budget or cost associated with the information collection activities, leaving questions about possible wasteful spending.
• Language describing the methodology used to collect feedback is not detailed, making it unclear how the feedback process is conducted or its effectiveness.
• The procedure for public comment submission on www.reginfo.gov is mentioned, but the document does not provide specifics on how to navigate the search function or locate the specific information collection request, which may be confusing for some individuals.
• There is no detailed explanation of how the feedback from blind and visually impaired persons will directly influence the currency redesign process or what measures will be taken after feedback is received, leaving this aspect vague.
• The anticipated variety of new information collection activities over the next three years is mentioned, but specific activities or objectives are not detailed, making the plan ambiguous.